What is SAGE?
Study Abroad for General Education (SAGE) programs are BYU study abroad programs that provide students with inspiring learning experiences abroad that they could not have in the classroom in Provo with gifted mentors who are invested in their success. SAGE oversees all study abroad programs that offer more than three credits counting toward General Education requirements. Directors for SAGE programs are selected from among the faculty at BYU, and the SAGE committee helps directors design effective learning experiences for BYU students. SAGE sends between 10-12 programs abroad each year to the BYU London Centre, Paris, Vienna, Italy/Greece, Spain, and other locations. You can learn more about past and future SAGE programs here.
Who directs SAGE programs?
Full-time faculty are eligible to apply to direct a SAGE program if they meet the following criteria. Faculty applicants must have:
- CFS status,
- an established track record of excellent teaching,
- appropriate expertise to teach proposed GE classes,
- the ability to help students develop intercultural competencies to navigate the target culture,
- appropriate cultural and linguistic expertise,
- support from home department chair and dean.
All prospective directors must be cleared by the Ecclesiastical Clearance Office as part of the preparation to direct a program. Typically, fall and winter SAGE programs have two co-directors and between 30-40 student particpants. Spring or summer programs may be directed by one faculty member with fewer students. (Note: All London Centre programs must have two co-directors working together with the London Centre resident director.) It is strongly preferred that the faculty co-directors NOT come from the same department or discipline so as to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and engagement. At least one of the co-directors should have previous experience directing a study abroad program. The SAGE committee can assist faculty members in finding co-applicants if they do not already have someone to work with.
What makes for a strong SAGE program?
SAGE programs are far more than General Education classes taught in a new location. Programs should be intentionally and holistically designed to take full advantage of the target culture and the opportunity for students to develop key educational and intercultural competencies. Directors must articulate their program outcomes for students at the beginning of the planning process to make curricular and itinerary decisions for the proposal. While students will receive credit for different classes, the overall experience should be integrated, meaning the curriculum for each class is in dialog with the other classes and the experiences in country. The outcomes for the program should be aligned with GE requirements and program outcomes. Activities, trips, and events should all feed into the overall objectives of the course. A clear example of this kind of planning and integration is illustrated in these videos:
Designing a SAGE program, click here
And for more about designing an effective experiential learning experience: click here
Flexible UNIV courses are available for use on SAGE programs that provide General Education credit but are not narrowly tied to course content taught on campus. These courses allow directors to plan for a more integrated experience for their students. SAGE committee members can help advise potential directors to know how to incorporate these courses into their proposals.
- UNIV 210: Global & Cultural Awareness
- UNIV 213: Quantitative Reasoning
- UNIV 214: Arts
- UNIV 215: Letters
- UNIV 216: Biology
- UNIV 217: Physical Science
- UNIV 218: Social Science
How are SAGE programs chosen?
Applications to direct future SAGE programs are due at the beginning of November each year for both established SAGE locations and for newly proposed locations. Applications in 2025 are for programs to be run in 2027 and 2028. Applications are reviewed by the SAGE committee who evaluate proposals on the following criteria:
| Criteria | Definition |
|---|---|
| Alignment | Based on rationale and proposed courses, does the program align with GE objectives? |
| Integration | Based on rationale and proposed courses, what is the program’s potential for an integrated learning experience (course of study with course of experience). |
| Director Qualification | To what degree does each director’s expertise (disciplinary, teaching focus, and cultural or language proficiency) and experience (study abroad, regional/sites of learning) suggest ability to successfully implement the proposal. |
| Intercultural Competence Outcome | Does the program develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that fosters meaningful engagement with cultural others. |
The first step in putting together a proposal is to let the SAGE committee know you are exploring the idea of putting together a program. Start by filling out this linked form to notify the SAGE committee of your interest. You will then be contacted about upcoming events such as orientation meetings that will help you develop a strong proposal. Email the SAGE committee at any time at gened@byu.edu for more information.
SAGE committee
The SAGE Committee is chaired by the director of General Education and reports to the Faculty General Education Council (FGEC). Members of the committee include:
- Chip Oscarson, Director of General Education (Chair)
- Jessica Green, Assistant Director of General Education
- Rob McFarland, Coordinator of European Studies
- Grant Lundberg, College of Humanities
- Eric Dursteler, College of Family, Home, and Social Science
- Julie Swallow, Center for Teaching and Learning
- Cecilia Peek, Resident Director London Centre
- Mat Duerden, Marriott School of Business
FAQ
- Do SAGE programs need to have two co-directors?
- SAGE programs to the London Centre must have two faculty co-directors. In other locations, it is preferred that SAGE programs have two co-directors so as to be able to offer the requisite number of credits to students without overburdening any one faculty member, but in spring or summer programs, this may not be necessary. In some cases, arrangements can be made with local providers to be able offer additional courses (for example: the Austro-American Institute in Vienna, L’Étoile in Paris, local universities, etc.). These providers must be qualified and understand their BYU audience and offer classes at the appropriate level that are integrated with the rest of the program.
- Can adjunct faculty teach on SAGE programs?
- Yes, adjunct faculty can teach on SAGE programs under the following conditions: They must have an established track record of excellent teaching on campus and be endorsed by their department chair. They cannot be a co-director of the program as they are not compensated for full-time work. Their salary for teaching on the program cannot be included in the program budget and must be funded by the adjunct’s home department or other source.
- Are SAGE programs restricted to London, Paris, Vienna, Spain, and Italy?
- No, although these locations are established destinations for SAGE programs, the SAGE committee encourages the development of new SAGE program locations, particularly outside of Europe.